On eve of Syria peace talks, Saudi Arabia questions Russian, Iranian intentions
The United States welcomed the decision by Iran’s foreign minister to attend international talks on trying to end the Syrian war, while Saudi Arabia remained cautious.
Washington — In a breakthrough for long-stalled diplomatic efforts to try to end the Syrian war, Iran has agreed to accept an invitation to participate in international talks on Syria for the first time, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Oct. 28.
Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the decision, saying the talks among the dozen nations to be held Oct. 30 in Vienna — to include Iran for the first time — present the best opportunity to chart a path toward a political solution to the 4½-year-old conflict.
“While finding a way forward on Syria will not be easy … or automatic, it is the most promising opportunity for a political opening,” Kerry said Oct. 28 in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The best opportunity we have is to try to come to the table and recognize a political solution.”
“Ultimately, to defeat Daesh [Islamic State, or IS], we have to end the war in Syria,” Kerry said. “And that is America’s goal.”
